Charlie Haden’s distinction is his unmatched ability to use the precise intonation and note choice to wring human emotion from his acoustic bass. Haden locates the tonal center of a song regardless of whether it’s a simple traditional country of the Louvin Brothers or the strange non-traditional jazz of Ornette Coleman.

His own “Song For Ché” is his heartfelt lament for the iconic Latin American Marxist revolutionary, Ché Guevara. For nearly the first half of this 9-plus minute song, Haden spins a solemn sorrowful procession of notes that evolve into a tense, chilling rapid repeating of notes. Cherry’s wood flute makes a few random reflections before Guevara’s fellow Argentinean Barbieri releases the revolutionary fury. Mantler provides a more romantic counterpoint that soon gets overwhelmed by Gato’s big tenor, while the percussion rumbles underneath. A final, Latin folk-inspired melody very briefly emerges from the chaos then falls away, leaving Haden alone to quietly bring the song to a gentle conclusion.

Charlie Haden’s tribute to a controversial figure is more than just a song; it’s a jazz opera done to virtual perfection.